Sony RX100 VI vs Nikon D3500

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Sony RX100 VI vs Nikon D3500

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 VI Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 VI.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony RX100 VI advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
23.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
229 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
23.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
109 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony RX100 VI

Less expensive
$597 vs $699*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer video battery life
75 vs 40 minutes
Capture more video
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Sony RX100 VI

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Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony RX100 VI, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony RX100 VI Shooter's Report

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100

$1062
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 VI vs Panasonic ZS100

Nikon D3500

Panasonic ZS100

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic ZS100

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony RX100 VI

Canon SL2

$1062
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VI vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Panasonic ZS200

Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS200

$1062
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Larger lens aperture

$648
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony RX100 VI vs Panasonic ZS200

Nikon D3500

Panasonic ZS200

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic ZS200

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony RX100 VI

Canon SL3

$1062
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VI vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 VI

Sony RX100 VII

$1062
1 inch

Less expensive
Faster JPEG shooting

$1298
1 inch

External Mic Jack

Compare Sony RX100 VI vs Sony RX100 VII

Nikon D3500

Sony RX100 VII

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1298
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX100 VII

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